NAD M66 - finally someone makes a decent 2-channel preamp!

[jhaider]

"... M66 has a selectable Analogue Direct mode that bypasses all digital processing..." - wonder if this means HT bypass?

I wonder if a dunce cap pops out of the unit when you press that button so the user who bought a modern device and uses it like a 1980s device can wear it.

I really like the NAD design and that you get 4 XLR subwoofer outs for DLBC.

But for just 1000€ more (7000€ msrp, prices will obviously drop) you can also get a Marantz AV10…

And for 2000 USD less you can get a Monoprice HTP-1 with a superior feature set: loudness compensation with two selectable perceptual models, PEQ for each channel before DLBC in the signal path, and support for 5 subs, assembled in the USA. But that’s not the point. Some people will never look at “home theater” gear even when it’s abjectly superior as well as cheaper. I don’t get it, but it is a thing. NAD is giving them a modern 2-channel option now. NAD’s box is very nicely styled, too, and their M series has always had nicely made casework.

 

[pogo]

NAD has confirmed they are doing DLART?

Not at this time. But the time will come for what devices it will be available for

 

[Spocko]

DLBC by itself is not sufficient for all users unless it permits user control of crossover frequencies and slopes. I’ve not used DLBC, but a quick look on the Dirac page did not show much on this topic. So if DLBC doesn’t allow software control of crossover slopes and frequencies, the preamp needs to to do this in hardware. MiniDSP Flex, Trinnov Amethyst, Tact (20+ years old), DEQX (also decades old) give the user control over crossovers as do software solutions like Acourate, so a new product in the 5k price range should have this functionality, hardware or software defined, at a minimum.

Trinnov ST2-HiFi is a stripped down Amethyst that retains all its important features for $5500 but the M66 with DLBC from Dirac to control up to 4 subs is the upgrade for those who need that many subs!

 

[Spocko]

NAD Announces Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamplifier

Ahead of the High End Munich show in Germany (May 18-21) and of its retail launch, NAD Electronics announced the Masters M66 BluOS Streaming DAC-Preamplifier, a new no-compromise flagship component, so advanced, it represents an entirely new category of hi-fi separates. The M66 offers...

audioxpress.com

The highlights:
4 sub outs
Dlrac Live Bass Control
No mention of loudness compensation, unfortunately (do NAD AVR/P products generally offer loudness compensation)?

IMO it's on the pricey side, and unless there's current need right now I'd probably wait for Dirac ART to shake out and see what offers that technology. But if you want more than 2 subs (in which case Lyngdorf has a few options) and don't want surround/rear/height channels you won't use, now there's finally an option.

It also bodes well that NAD might finally modernize the room correction in their AVR/P lines, given that this one uses the same MDC things.

The eARC to TV may be its most salient feature for 2.4 channel home theater enthusiasts - a uniquely awesome offering! Stereo plus 4 subwoofers optimized in a room? Pretty niche and very cool if you're running a flagship home theater system in stereo. Arcam was the only one offering anything remotely like this 4 years ago! Although what it needs is Dolby/DTS virtual downmixing of 5.1 content. NAD should've paid Dolby or DTS for that last bit now I have to cross it off my list!

 

[Timcognito]

Thanks for the post. I too have been looking for a full featured preamp for my 2.2 stereo system and this might just fit the bill. However, the devil is in the details and in order to make an informed purchase decision the prospective customer needs to know more, e.g. crossover frequencies and slopes, are they fixed or variable, and whether the sub outputs are stereo or mono. NAD have a lower priced preamp in their lineup - the 658 - with Dirac and subwoofer outputs but, unfortunately, my requests for information were ignored. Let’s hope they are more responsive when asked for info on a 5.5k preamp.

Did you see this four controllable outputs plus Dirac and Roon $1200

SHD

Roon Ready network audio streamer with Dirac Live® room correction, miniDSP audio toolbox for subwoofer integration and multiway speakers, Volumio music player, Audiophile 32-bit converters, 450MHz Sharc DSP processor

www.minidsp.com

Minidsp SHD Review Updated (DSP, DAC & Streamer)

This is an update to the review of minidsp SHD that I did a couple of years ago. My tests have evolved since then and company has stated that they fixed a few issues I found in that test. The SHD costs US $1,195 and includes a USB DAC, streaming engine (based on Volumio) and of course, DSP...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[al2002]

Trinnov ST2-HiFi is a stripped down Amethyst that retains all its important features for $5500 but the M66 with DLBC from Dirac to control up to 4 subs is the upgrade for those who need that many subs!

Trinnov’s ST-2 processors are discontinued and scarce on the second hand market. Unlike the NAD, the ST2s are not preamps, just processors, and would need a system preamp as a front end.

 

[pogo]

NAD should've paid Dolby or DTS for that last bit now I have to cross it off my list!

The M10 V2 can decode Dolby, but whether a downmix is possible, I do not know. DLBC should also come this year for the M10.

 

[al2002]

The eARC to TV may be its most salient feature for 2.4 channel home theater enthusiasts - a uniquely awesome offering! Stereo plus 4 subwoofers optimized in a room? Pretty niche and very cool if you're running a flagship home theater system in stereo. Arcam was the only one offering anything remotely like this 4 years ago! Although what it needs is Dolby/DTS virtual downmixing of 5.1 content. NAD should've paid Dolby or DTS for that last bit now I have to cross it off my list!

A MDC HDMI card has been listed in the NAD catalogue for a long time, so several earlier NAD integrated and preamps could be used in an A/V system. The combination of Dirac and subwoofer outputs is what sets this one apart.

Re. downmixing, is it needed? Don’t DVDs and Blu Rays already have stereo tracks?

 

[Dj7675]

The M10 V2 can decode Dolby, but whether a downmix is possible, I do not know. DLBC should also come this year for the M10.

It will be great if it is the case. But where are you seeing that NAD has confirmed they will be doing Dirac Art or DLBC for previously released products? Has there been a press release or has support commented on it? They have several products which would be great if DLBC and/or ART but I just haven’t seen anything.

 

[Spocko]

It will be great if it is the case. But where are you seeing that NAD has confirmed they will be doing Dirac Art or DLBC for previously released products? Has there been a press release or has support commented on it? They have several products which would be great if DLBC and/or ART but I just haven’t seen anything.

it's in the official specs on its product page

 

[Spocko]

A MDC HDMI card has been listed in the NAD catalogue for a long time, so several earlier NAD integrated and preamps could be used in an A/V system. The combination of Dirac and subwoofer outputs is what sets this one apart.

Re. downmixing, is it needed? Don’t DVDs and Blu Rays already have stereo tracks?

I meant that it would be neato if it had Dolby Virtualizer (or DTS:Virtual X) to create multi-channel immersion via 2.1 speakers - it may not work as well as advertised but with the latest processing power, who knows?

 

[Dj7675]

it's in the official specs on its product page

View attachment 285704

I have seen that. I just hadn’t seen confirmation on them implementing either on older products.
EDIT: It is great NAD is starting to get on board with DLBC at least with some products.

 

[pogo]

But where are you seeing that NAD has confirmed they will be doing Dirac Art or DLBC for previously released products?

For DLBC, I simply asked the NAD support. DLART has not been denied, but not yet confirmed.

 

[pogo]

As for Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (DLART), this will not be available at release for the NAD M66. However, we do intend to add support for DLART to the M66 at a later date via a firmware update.

 

[Dj7675]

As for Dirac Live Active Room Treatment (DLART), this will not be available at release for the NAD M66. However, we do intend to add support for DLART to the M66 at a later date via a firmware update.

Although, they did say the same thing for DLBC 2 1/2 years ago

 

[NADKEF listener]

Scanned a post in the FB NAD group with short movie of the M66. This is how it was presented in Munich. Not easy to distinguish the M66 from the M23 & Epikores. How to judge it’s worth the €6K?

 

[pogo]

Asked the other way around. What can top the M66 for 6k?

 

[restorer-john]

@jhaider thanks for posting this thread.

You're right, this preamplifier could be a bit of a game changer. Along with a pair of NAD Masters series power amps and anybody would be set for the next 20 years, assuming updates and support remain decent.

 

[ENG]

@jhaider thanks for posting this thread.

You're right, this preamplifier could be a bit of a game changer. Along with a pair of NAD Masters series power amps and anybody would be set for the next 20 years, assuming updates and support remain decent.

Hello restorer-john

I may buy this NAD M66.
I have a pair of NAD C298, how will you
compare them with NAD M23?

My speakers are Revel F228Be or
Monitor Audio Gold 200.

 

[restorer-john]

Hello restorer-john

I may buy this NAD M66.
I have a pair of NAD C298, how will you
compare them with NAD M23?

My speakers are Revel F228Be or
Monitor Audio Gold 200.

Your C298s should be spectacular with the M66 and those speakers. The only real reason to go with the M23 pair would be if you were buying the threesome from scratch and wanted more power. Sure, the C298 doesn't match perfectly in the aesthetic sense, but the performance should be just as excellent. And, being as you own a pair, I wouldn't change that.

What an awesome system you will have. Please post a few pictures and your impressions.